Tewkesbury's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure.
The population reached nearly 82,000
In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Tewkesbury increased by 7.3%, from just over 76,400 to 81,900.
The addition of just over 5,500 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).
In 2011, Tewkesbury was home to, on average, 1.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.
Population density was similar to the average across the South West
Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)
- Rest of the South West
- Tewkesbury
- Average across England
An older Tewkesbury
Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.
Between the last two censuses, the median age of Tewkesbury increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.
This rural area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).
The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 2,700 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 2,000.
About 13% of people in Tewkesbury are aged between 60 and 69 years
Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Tewkesbury by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011
- 2001
- 2011
Disability in Tewkesbury
The percentage of Tewkesbury residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.7% to 7.5% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.
The percentage who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 2.5%, while the percentage of Tewkesbury residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.
The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 7.0% in 2001 to 7.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 6.8% to 6.5%.
The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West
Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011
- Average across England
Changing work life
The percentage of Tewkesbury residents that were studying increased from 2.2% to 2.4% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.
The percentage who said they were employed remained close to 57%, while the percentage of Tewkesbury residents that were unemployed increased from 2.0% to 2.8%.
The proportion of students increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 2.6% in 2001 to 3.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.
The percentage of students was lower than across the South West
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were in education across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011
- Rest of the South West
- Tewkesbury
- Average across England
Rise in private renting
The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Tewkesbury, but at a slower rate than in Gloucester (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Tewkesbury).
In Tewkesbury, the proportion of private renting increased from 7.5% in 2001 to 12% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Gloucester increased from 9.5% to 17%.
Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.
The rate of social housing in Tewkesbury remained close to 12%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 78% to 74%.
Private renting in Tewkesbury increased by 4.9 percentage points
Percentage of households in Tewkesbury, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011
- 2001
- 2011
Health improved
The percentage of Tewkesbury residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.0% to 4.3% between the last two censuses.
Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.
In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 72% in 2001. The percentage of Tewkesbury residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 12%.
The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.
These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.
The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Tewkesbury decreased by 2.7 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents in Tewkesbury, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011
- 2001
- 2011
Area report data
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